An all-new
production of Puccini's LA BOHEME launches L.A. Opera's new season. Helmed
by high-concept director Barrie Kosky and with scenery by Rufus Didwiszus,
the opera will be performed at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Sept. 14-October
6. James Conlon is the conductor. Headlining the cast are Marina Costa-Jackson
as Mimi, Saimir Pirgo as Rodolfo, Erica Petrocelli as Musetta, Kihun Yoon
as Marcello, and Nicholas Brownlee as Colline.
LA BOHEME is a co/production with Komische Oper Berlin.

photo: Ikko Freese

The famed lyric soprano Renee Fleming will then star in THE LIGHT IN THE
PIAZZA, a company premiere, which runs October 12-20. Based on the novel
by Elizabeth Spencer (and the motion picture of the same name), the musical
by Adam Guettel won six Tony Awards when it was performed on Broadway.

The story is set in Florence, summer 1953. American Margaret Johnson (Fleming)
and her daughter Clara take in the wonder and awe of the city. A fateful
gust of wind whisks Clara's hat into the hand of a local dreamer...and it
is love at first sight. But Clara isn't quite what she appears, and soon
they must all confront a secret kept in the shadows for too far long.

photo: Dewynters

With a book by Craig Lucas, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA will be directed by
Daniel Evans. The conductor is Kimberly Grigsby.